Ulithi--Plumbing Job

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 17 March 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Although I worked all morning it wasn't until afternoon before the plumbing job in my office was complete. However except for the deck being all cluttered up and not having any water in my unit, I got along OK.
     After lunch I finished a mystery story I was reading and censored some mail. Just about the time I finished Dr. Travis (I've mentioned him before) stopped by. He was aboard for business. We made a date for a few beers at the island tomorrow. We were comparing notes and discovered that we both reported for active duty on the same date and shipped out a week apart. He is married, has three kiddies and is a swell guy.
     After he left I went down, saw a patient for a minute and then visited the barber. After that I showered and dressed for dinner.  I bet if you look over my letter, my daily routine doesn't vary much and I probably say much the same thing every day.
     Tonight's movie is "Nice Girl" with Deanna Durbin and I think it's rated as good.  It doesn't really matter; I never miss any of them anyway.
     No mail today Honey so there is very little more for me to talk about. Do you remember the days when all we needed to do was to dial the phone if we had something to talk about and weren't together? I can't wait much longer to see that a reality again. I can't, but I guess I'll have to for a while yet.
     So Darling, once more I'm left with nothing to say. So I'll repeat myself and say I love you Sweet and miss all my three girls tremendously.
     Goodnight Darling until tomorrow

Yours alone,
Gil

Ulithi--Mess

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Friday 16 March 1945, 7:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Didn't do any dentistry all day long. My office is still in a mess--the sink is still not completely installed. In the morning, I hope they can finish up quickly as I have a busy day planned.
     I worked on lesson six of my course and got it all ready for typing this morning. This afternoon, for lack of anything else to do and because I felt like it, I went over to the island for a few beers.
     After drinking a couple, another fellow and I went out shell hunting. The tide was way out and I found a mess of shells of a new variety, all with little live crabs in them. There were also many small pools of water left behind by the tide and we had fun watching the small tropical fish, one to two inches long skimming through the water. Wish there were some way of sending them home. There were some beauties there.
     We got back at 5:15 and I had just enough time to shower and change before dinner. Now here I am.
     The movie tonight is "Big Street" another oldie with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball. Last night's "Intermezzo" was just fair.
     The mail this morning brought a bulletin from the Medical Department and a short note from Libby. When I got back to my office tonight I found a letter from you. I'm glad you enjoyed "Fun Time." Sounds like the kind of show I'd enjoy.
     Do as you like about bonds. I won't urge you either way. I've had my say but I won't resist because it isn't important enough.
     I hope Dave is right about when I'll be coming home. However his guess is only as good as mine. The next few months will tell.
     Well Darling, so endeth another letter. No real good news, but no bad news either. Of course you know I love you but I'll say it again, "I love you." Goodnight Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours always,
Gil

Ulithi--Daddy Misses You

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

15 March 1945

Dearest Linda,
     I received your very sweet letter today and I was surprised at how well you draw. My goodness, your chicken and rabbit looked so real I thought they would jump off the paper and right onto my desk.
     Ethyl Leavy wrote me and told me how well you and Norma are dancing now and what good, sweet little girls you are. Keep up the good work. You are both making me very happy and proud of you.
     Honey, daddy misses you, Norma and Mama, too and I'll try to come home as soon as possible.
     In the meantime keep up the good work at school and at home.

Love,

Daddy

Linda

15 March 1945

Ulithi--Ban Lifted

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Thursday 15 March 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello darling here I am once more. Began today as usual with work but I knocked off about 10:30 because I'm having a new style surgical basin (sink) installed in my office. I'm there now. From the progress they've made, there won't be much dentistry done on the Ocelot tomorrow either.
     I got another shot in the arm today and it feels quite sore at present. By tomorrow night I hope to be rid of all its effects.
     So, I had time to read my five letters before lunch today. There was one from Linda, one from Ethyl and three from my favorite wife. This afternoon I just loafed and took it easy. Read a little, talked a little but accomplished nothing.
     Now to your letters. I don't want our ship to go back for repairs. Ships that need such extensive repairs as to go back to the states must have seen some heavy action and many of the crew probably were casualties. I'll get back in due time and safe and sound. Who wants to be a hero? Not me!
     You ask what else can you send me? Well nothing at present. At dinner tonight we were talking about pickles and kosher dills were brought up. It was suggested that "dills" packed in waxed paper containers with additional wax sealing the cover would come on safe and sound. They tell me even whiskey has been sent out that way. How about getting a couple of quart cylinder containers and sending some on (no, not whisky, pickles).
     When I get my promotion I'll arrange to have your allotment increased and have the checks sent to the Santa Monica Bank. Then you can close out the San Diego account and have it all in one bank. You should have plenty of reserve so that there won't be any charge for writing checks even minus an additional $1,000. You can buy those bonds in $500 ones if you like. I still say buy some more.
     I wrote Dr. Ivie the other day. As a matter of fact I'm all caught up now and owe no one any letters.
     About the Sadie A. incident. All I can say is that women are cats and very petty ones indeed. Further no one will stick her neck out if she can avoid it. I'd forget the incident and tell the whole kit and caboodle to do their own dirty work from now on.
     I know my daily letters mean much to you because I know how much they mean to me. We have been lucky too that there hasn't been much of a break in frequency of mail so far. However darling please realize that this can't go on forever and sooner or later there may be a break of days or maybe weeks without mail. Please don't worry though because I'll always be safe and then one day you'll get a great big stack all at once.
     By the first of April I'll have over $450 due me on the books. I'm going to send you $100 then and I want you to buy Linda a bond and use the $25 balance to get her something more tangible.
     Well darling I'm all worked up for tonight. The movie is an oldie "Intermezzo" with Leslie Howard. Goodnight my Sweet I'll see you in my dreams,

Love,

Gil

P.S. The ban is off on discussing Hawaii. Ask any questions you like now and if I can remember the facts I'll answer them fully.

Gil

Ulithi--Man Missing

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Wednesday 14 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Today began like any other day. I had my morning appointments and it was past 11:00 AM before I was finished. Then I went up to my room hoping to find some mail but no such luck. So instead I read from a magazine until time for lunch.
     After lunch I was informed that I was to take charge of today's liberty party, consisting of some seventy odd men. I got them and the beer in the boat and away we went. When we got ashore we found a shady spot and I divided up the beer so that each man got six cans. Knowing that they wouldn't go away (as long as the beer lasted) I went over to the club and had a couple myself. Meandered back to make sure that everything was under control and then returned to the club and joined three of the ship's officers for a few more beers.
     The afternoon went by rapidly and before I knew it was time to round up the men and return to the ship. The muster showed one man missing and though we looked for him we couldn't find him. It is perfectly safe there so we left him. He's probably sleeping it off and the shore patrol will bring him in when they police the area at 6:00 PM.
     I showered and dressed for dinner. After eating, enjoyed the cool breeze but no sunset tonight--too many clouds. Now here I am.
The movie tonight is "Claudia" Do you remember when we went to see it on the stage and how much we laughed and enjoyed it? I'll be thinking of you every moment that the movie is on and wishing you were beside me.
     There was no mail for me this afternoon either so no more gossip. Goodnight darling, I'll see you in my dreams. Love and kisses to you and our two sweet girls.

Yours alone,

Gil

Liberty Party

Ulithi--Patriotic

On March 13 a Japanese raid damaged the aircraft carrier Randolph and a kamikaze buzzed the U.S.S.Ocelot.

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Tuesday 13 March 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     How are you tonight darling? Swell. So am I. I miss you and the girls just as you miss me.
     Today was just another day. Worked all morning and part of the afternoon and secured (quit) at 2:45. There were some doctors from other ships aboard who coaxed me to go ashore with them, but it would have been past 3:30 before we got there and that is too late to get started. I like to be back aboard by 5:30 so I said, "no."
     Instead I went up on the poop deck for thirty-five minutes of sunshine. Then I retired to my room. I censored a stack of mail and then read until 5:15 when I showered and changed for dinner.
     After chow we were standing on deck enjoying the breeze and sunset when a rain squall came along and drove us to cover. However it only lasted a few minutes and we all came back to finish our regular evening routine. Now here I am.
     I got three letters today, four from you and one from your mother. Talking about letters I wrote eight besides yours in the past two days. Soon I'll be all caught up.
     You never did send Sol's address to me. There is a good chance of my seeing him if I know what ship he is on. If you haven't done so be sure to include it in your next letter.
     I'm surprised at the Lindenbaums. I'd never expected them to call on you after so long. On rereading you letter I see you met him at dancing school. Well he always was friendly or should I say "smooth." That probably is more the word for him.
     Dick may never be sent to Europe but may come out this way. By the time his training is over, Germany should be licked and all army will be coming out to the Pacific theater. Don't you worry none about him, army life and discipline will do him good.
     When I get back I'm spending my time with my special girl. The Corsos don't have a chance and even the family will wait until we come up for air so to speak.
     So Ruby is still complaining? Well if Marty didn't expend so much energy in other places he might be able to do her some good.
     Traveling long distances for vacations certainly doesn't sound very patriotic. I'm afraid if some of our 100% Americans and patriots could hear some of the opinions and ideas of both officers and men about their actions at home, their ears would burn plenty. Maybe they'd spend a few wakeful nights thinking. Oh well nuff said on that subject.
     There is another appendectomy coming up which I'm going to be on so I'll have to hurry because they're about ready to begin.

Good night my Sweet, until tomorrow.

Yours always,

Gil     

       

Ulithi--Ship's Officers

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Monday 12 March 1945, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling here I am again. Today was a nice, easy day. I kept working all morning and part of the afternoon. It was able to do it leisurely so it was easy.
     At 3:00 PM I got undressed and climbed into my bunk and read until it was time to shower and dress for dinner. After that there was the usual evening routine of enjoying the evening breeze and sunset. Now here I am.
     The enclosed snaps were those that I have been promising to send. The informal group was taken last month in front of the Officers' Club ashore. The others were taken aboard. The large group is the ship's officers and the twosome constitutes the medical department. I don't have the negatives so be careful of them.
     There was no mail today for me so I'll expect twice as much tomorrow and I know I'll get it too.
     How has my spelling been lately? When I was writing about the court martial I was sitting in, I knew the spelling looked incorrect but it didn't come to me until the other day what was wrong.
     We had another doctor report aboard for duty so now we have two, and they're both busy. They are doing another appendectomy now and there is a possible perforated stomach ulcer case awaiting a final decision.
     Do you remember the good old days when I'd get the movie camera and the kids out in the back yard and shoot pictures and you'd object because they weren't dolled up? Wish I could do the same tomorrow and other things too, to which you'd better not object. Guess it'll keep for a few months longer.
     Well honey, I'm going to sign off now. Good night my love, I'll see you in my dreams.

Devotedly,

Gil

Medical Department
Gil (Dental Officer) and Bushyager (Medical Officer)

Ship's officers

Gil is the short one in the middle row

Casual photo Officers' Club

Gil bottom left